Transportation system

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to an improved transportation system which includes a plurality of upright supports ( 1 ) which elevate at least one track ( 2 ). A plurality of cabs ( 3 ) are adapted to move along the track or tracks ( 2 ) provided where the cabs ( 3 ) suspended from a track ( 2 ) so that the center of mass of the cabs ( 3 ) is located below the track ( 2 ). A single track ( 2 ) provides a pair of rail elements on opposite sides of the track ( 2 ) where the first rail element is adapted to support cabs ( 3 ) moving in substantially the opposite direction to cabs ( 3 ) supported by the second rail element of the same track ( 2 ).

This invention relates to improvements to or associated withtransportation systems. Specifically the present invention may beadapted to provide a public transportation system which can beimplemented or installed in a large range of locations, which is costeffective to implement, and which can run or service low volumes ofpassenger numbers if required.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the presentinvention being used in the transportation of passengers, but thoseskilled in the art should appreciate that other applications or cargoesare envisioned and reference to the above only throughout thisspecification should in no way be seen as limiting.

BACKGROUND ART

Public transport systems are promoted in most major cities to reduceroad congestion and the pollution problems caused by high levels of roadvehicle use.

In some instances road buses are promoted as an alternative to thepublic using their own cars for transport within a city. However, busesare relatively large vehicles and not very cost efficient if there areonly a small number of passengers who are prepared to use the busservice. Buses are also slow compared to private cars and are vulnerableto delays caused by road congestion problems. Buses will stillcontribute to the air and noise pollution problems faced by most cities.

One other type of public or passenger transportation system proposed forintra-city travel is trains and rail networks. However, known types ofrail networks also have a number of disadvantages associated with theiruse.

A rail network must use large areas of land in central locations as wellas expensive locomotives and carriages to transport passengers. Thesetwo factors combined make the construction, implementation andmaintenance of a rail network an expensive proposition. Furthermore,large scale rail networks are also limited in the areas of a city inwhich they can transport passengers. It may be difficult for thebuilders of a rail network to secure all the land they require to extendnetworks out to all destinations of interest to the network'spassengers. The high capital costs associated with building such anetwork may also limit the size or extent of the network that can bebuilt for available funds.

Operators of passenger rail services require high numbers or volumes ofpassengers to use their service to be commercially viable. If only asmall number of passengers wish to travel on a single train at one timethis can create significant operational costs for the service operator.Due to these concerns there is potential for rail network operators torestrict or limit the number of trains available to passengers in anattempt to reduce operational costs and to boost passenger numbers oneach train. This however has the effect of reducing the convenience ofthe service for passengers, who become more likely to resort to usingtheir own cars for transportation.

An improved transportation system that addressed any or all of the aboveproblems would be of advantage. Specifically a transportation systemwhich could cater cost effectively to small passenger numbers, whichcould provide access to wide areas of a city and which could beimplemented or built at low cost would be of advantage.

It is an object of the present invention to address the foregoingproblems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.

Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the ensuing description that is given by way of exampleonly.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided atransportation system which includes,

-   a plurality of substantially upright supports, and-   at least one track elevated by said supports, and-   a plurality of cabs adapted to move along said at least one track,    said cabs being suspended from a track so that the centre of mass of    said cabs is located below the track,    wherein said at least one track is formed from a first rail element    and a second rail element orientated in substantially the same    directions, the first rail element being used to support at least    one cab moving in substantially the opposite direction to at least    one second cab supported by the second rail elements.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda transportation system substantially as described above wherein oneside of a cab is linked to a track to locate the cab's centre of massbelow the track

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a transportation system substantially as described abovewherein the entire body of the cab is suspended below the track.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda transportation system substantially as described above wherein eachcab includes seating for ten or less passengers.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided atransportation system substantially as described above which includes aswitching system adapted to move a cab from a track's rail element to anadjacent track's rail element through pivoting a portion of the railelement on which the cab is moving towards a rail element of the trackto which the cab is to be switched.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention there isprovided a transportation system substantially as described abovewherein the drive system includes a biasing means adapted to move thecentre of mass of the cab towards the track onto which it is to beswitched before the rail element on which the cab is moving is pivotedtowards the adjacent track onto which the cab is to be switched.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda biasing means for a transportation system substantially as describedabove wherein the biasing means includes a hydraulic or pneumatic ram.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda transportation system which includes a control system for a cab, thecontrol system being adapted to receive destination information from auser and to use this destination information to control the route whichthe cab travels along the transportation system.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda transportation system substantially as described above wherein thecontrol system for a cab includes a currency transfer element.

The present invention may be adapted to provide a transportation system.Preferably a transportation system implemented in accordance with thepresent invention may be used to transport passengers or to provide apublic passenger transportation system. The present invention mayprovide significant advantages in this application over the prior artdue to its ability to satisfy passengers' needs for a timely andconvenient transportation service.

Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the presentinvention being used to provide a passenger transportation system butthose skilled in the art should appreciate that other applications arealso envisioned. For example, it is also possible for the presentinvention to be used to transport goods if required and reference to thetransportation of passengers only throughout this specification shouldin no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention includes a plurality ofupright supports. These supports may be used to elevate other componentsof the transportation system and also to support these components andplace them out of the way of any obstacles that might be encountered atlower elevations. Using upright supports to elevate other components ofthe system also reduces the system's “footprint” or the amount of landactually taken up through implementation of the present invention.

Preferably the upright supports employed are arranged in a longitudinalarray along the length of the track to be supported.

Preferably a single upright support only is used to support one point ofthe track.

Preferably the upright supports used may be orientated substantiallyperpendicular to the surface on which they are installed. Orientation ofthe supports this way maximises the height at which the main componentsof this system may be elevated to. However, those skilled in the artshould appreciate that upright supports used in conjunction with thepresent invention need not necessarily be angled exactly perpendicularto a surface which is used to support them, and reference to the aboveonly throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.

In a preferred embodiment the transportation system includes a pluralityof cabs. A cab may be defined as any at least partially enclosedcompartment that is adapted to carry or transport passengers and/orgoods. The present invention may be adapted to transport a plurality ofcabs and hence passengers or goods residing within the cabs.

In a preferred embodiment a cab may form a fully enclosed cabin. Such acab may also include seating for a small number of people. This in turnallows the size of the cabs used to be reduced, thereby limiting thecapital costs required to implement the present invention and also theaesthetic or visual impact the system will have on its surroundings.

In a further preferred embodiment a cab may be configured to containseating for ten or less people, and preferably may contain seating foreight passengers only. By reducing the number of passengers that can betransported by a cab this makes it easier for the cab to be filled atany time. Furthermore, the provision of small cabs also allows thefrequency at which cabs travel a particular section of thetransportation system to be varied easily. In times of peak passengertraffic large numbers of cabs may be shuttled through a particular area,whereas in off-peak times the number of cabs passing through may bereduced.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may include at least onetrack that is elevated by the substantially upright supports discussedabove. A track may be provided to guide and control the motions andpaths of cabs through the transportation system formed in accordancewith the present invention. Furthermore, a transportation system formedin accordance with the present invention may also include a plurality oftracks that allow cabs containing passengers to travel to many differentdestinations. Switching systems may be provided between tracks whenadjacent to one another to allow cabs to be switched between tracks totherefore provide some variation in potential routes that a single cabcan take on the transportation system.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may be configured with anumber of tracks where each of these tracks are supported or elevated bya plurality of substantially upright supports. Reference throughout thisspecification will also by made to the present invention including aplurality of tracks, but those skilled in the art should appreciate thatthe invention may be configured using a single track if required. Forexample, in such an embodiment the present invention may be implementedusing a single track that runs in a loop or circuit.

In a preferred embodiment a track may be formed from a first railelement and a second rail element, with both elements being orientatedin substantially the same direction. The first of these rail elementsmay be adapted to support cabs moving in the opposite direction to cabssupported by the second rail element This configuration of the inventionallows a single track to support two separate cabs at numerous pointsalong its length and also allows motion of cabs in opposite directionsalong opposite sides of the same track. This may be contrasted withprior art systems where a single track will only allow a cab to move inone direction only, or if cabs are run in both directions on the track,careful management and time tabling systems must be used to make surethat no impacts occur between cabs.

By providing two rail elements on either side of the same track thiswill substantially increase the flexibility of the transportation systemwith regard to the routes that cabs can take along the system, and willalso substantially increase numbers of cabs and volumes of passengerswhich the system can transport at any one time.

In a preferred embodiment a track may be formed from a central bodyportion with two pairs of side arms projecting from the body portion toform the first and second rail elements. This design of track providesthis component with a limited or compact width, thereby reducing theenvironmental and aesthetic impact of the system on its surroundingenvironment. The pairs of projecting side arms extending from thecentral body or beam of the track can in turn be employed to form firstand second rail elements from which cabs are to be suspended.

Preferably cabs are suspended from rail elements so that the centre ofmass of a cab is located below the track.

In a further preferred embodiment one side of a cab only may be linkedto a track to locate the cab's centre of mass below the track. Thisoffset connection scheme for a cab again assures that the cab issuspended from a track and limits the width or extent of the system andhence its impact on the surrounding environment.

Preferably a track may be linked to a cab through a drive systememployed to pull or push the cab along the tracks. In such embodiments astructural beam or member may be mounted on one side or edge of a cabwith drive system components connected to this beam, which are in turnconnected to the track to suspend the cab from the track.

In a preferred embodiment cabs supported by a track are suspended fromthe track when in use. Suspending cabs from an elevated track will stillelevate each cab above the ground but will restrict the total height ofthe transportation system and the total volume of space that itoccupies. These considerations are important when evaluating the visualimpact the transportation system will have on its surroundings. As theheight which the cabs are elevated is preferably limited, this in turnlimits the size of shadows cast onto the surrounding environment bycabs. Furthermore, by where possible reducing the volume of spaceoccupied by the transportation system this again limits the visualimpact the system will have on its surroundings when installed. Theseconsiderations are important when the transportation system is to be runthrough or installed within an existing suburban environment wherehouseholders may feel sensitive to their living space being dominated orovershadowed by the elevated track and cabs.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may include a controlsystem for a cab, where such a control system may be adapted to controlthe route or path which the cab takes along the transportation system.Such a control system may be in communication with other components ofthe transportation system such as switching systems or elements whichare used to move a cab from one track onto an adjacent track to changethe path or the route to be taken by the cab.

In a preferred embodiment a control system may be adapted to receivedestination information from a user. Destination information may consistof a particular street address which the user wishes to travel to, aspecific route to be travelled or a general locality or suburb that theuser wishes to travel without being specific about a particular deliverypoint or location. Destination information may also encompass the userindicating the route that they wish a cab to take to a destination. Suchinformation may be supplied to the control system using any type ofknown technology such as for example, computerised keypads, touchscreens, or voice recognition systems. The destination informationsupplied to the control system may be used to pilot the cab along apredetermined route to the destination or along a route indicated by theuser.

A control system as discussed above may be implemented through provisionof any type of digital processing system that is capable ofcommunicating with and issuing commands to other elements of thetransportation system. For example, in a preferred embodiment thecontrol system is adapted to transmit control signals to at least oneswitching system to move the cab from one track to an adjacent track.Those skilled in the art should appreciate that existing informationtechnology systems and computer based technology may be used toimplement this aspect of the present invention, and as such has not beendescribed in detail throughout this specification.

These features of a control system substantially increase theflexibility of the transportation system and its ability to deliverpassengers to particular or selected destinations. Through the controlsystems links with switching elements or systems it may navigate a pathfrom the cab's present location to the destination indicated by theuser. This may be contrasted with the existing public transportationsystems such as buses or trans that follow a route that cannot be varieddepending on the passengers' requirements.

In a further preferred embodiment such a control system for a cab mayalso include a currency transfer element. A currency transfer elementmay be used to electronically transfer funds from a passenger to acurrency account associated with a person or organisation operating thetransportation system. Preferably such a currency transfer element maybe implemented using known existing technology such as EFTPOS or creditcard systems or alternatively may deduct a set currency value from acredit account held by the passenger with the operator of thetransportation system. Such a currency transfer element may greatlyincrease the convenience of the transportation system for passengers, asthey do not need to carry coins or notes, or supply exactly the correctchange for a fare.

Preferably the plurality of upright supports used may perform additionalfunctions other than just the support of tracks used by thetransportation system. These upright supports may also be used toelevate and support other non-transport related systems or articles,such as for example street lighting systems or power ortelecommunications cables. Those skilled in the art should appreciatethat the system of uprights may provide a basic network of supportstructures which can be used to also support and elevate othernon-transport related components if required.

In preferred embodiment the upright supports used may also include oneor more receptacles near the base or the bottom of the support. Thesereceptacles may preferably be used to contain soil and to providecontainers for plants to landscape the area immediately surrounding asupport. Plantings may be provided within such containers to soften thevisual impact of the supports, or to disguise or hide the supports.Furthermore, these receptacles can also form a protective crash barrierfor the support involved. Containers filled with earth and plantings cancreate a buffer layer around the base of the support, reducing thechances of the support being damaged if it is hit by a vehicle in a roadcrash.

In a preferred embodiment a cab may include a drive system which isadapted to pull or push a cab along a rail element. Preferably such adrive system may be powered by electrical energy. In such instances theelectrical energy used may be supplied by a live wire pickup cablelocated within or adjacent to the rail element on which the cab istravelling. In such instances electric motors may be used to drive themotion of a cab, reducing the potential for a cab to generate noise whenin operation.

Preferably through the use of live wire pickup systems and electricdriving motors the majority of the noise generated through the motion ofa cab may be sourced from physical contact between driving elements ofthe cab and a rail element of the track. This feature of the inventionmay reduce the impact the transportation system will have on itsenvironment during its operation. By limiting the amount of noiseproduced by a moving cab this will go some way to reducing thereluctance of residents within a particular area to having thetransportation system running through same. Furthermore, if cabs cantravel relatively quietly it is possible for the transportation systemto operate late at night without complaints from residents within thesurrounding area.

The use of a live wire pickup power supply eliminates the need for a cabto carry its own supply of fuel. As the live wire pickup used iselevated well off the ground this also reduces safety problemsassociated with providing uninsulated high voltage power line wires. Inaddition, the use of electrical driving motors instead of internalcombustion engines eliminates air pollution concerns associated withoperation of the transportation system.

In a preferred embodiment a drive system may be composed of or formedfrom at least one drive carriage. One, two or possibly more carriagesmay be employed in the drive system to link the cab to the track.

In a further preferred embodiment the present invention may beimplemented using a drive system formed from two separate carriagesonly. Reference throughout this specification will also be made to theuse of two carriages only but those skilled in the art should appreciatethat other designs or implementations are also envisioned and referenceto the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seenas limiting.

The use of two carriages provides two suspensions points for a cab onthe track. When the cab is switched on to another track the first ofthese carriages moves the front portion of the cab towards the new tracka short distance before the second carriage reaches the switching systemused. This promotes a gradual change in momentum and in the direction ofmotion of the cab, thereby smoothing out the switching of cabs toadjacent tracks.

In a preferred embodiment a drive carriage may include a plurality ofvertical guide wheels which in use engage with a side or sides of atrack element. Such guide wheels may be provided to stabilise the motionof the cab in a horizontal plane through engagement of guide wheels witha side or sides of a track element.

In a further preferred embodiment the a drive carriage may include adrive wheel and a pressure wheel which in use are placed in contact withthe upper and lower surfaces of the track element. The drive wheel maybe rotated by the system to provide the motive power used to pull orpush the cab along the track element, while the pressure wheel locatedon the opposite side of the track element can provide a verticalstabilisation element to the cab. Those skilled in the art should alsoappreciate that the drive wheel may be located above the track elementand a pressure wheel below, or alternatively the pressure wheel may belocated above the track element and the drive wheel below.

In a preferred embodiment a drive carriage includes a central bar withthe carriage being connected to a track at two points along the lengthof said central bar.

In a preferred embodiment a drive carriage may be formed from orincorporate a central bar which has sets of vertical guide wheels andpressure wheels located at either end of such a bar. One drive wheel maybe located at one end of the central bar, or alternatively a pair ofguide wheels may be provided with one at each end of the bar. Thisconfiguration of the drive carriage again promotes the smooth switchingof a cab to an adjacent track. The displacement between the contactpoints of carriage to the track provides a gradual change in directionof momentum of the cab over the length of the carriages central bar asthe carriage is switched onto an adjacent track.

In a preferred embodiment the drive system may also include a biasingmeans which is adapted to move the centre mass of the cab towards thetrack onto which it is to be switched before the cab is actuallyswitched over. Such a biasing means may be provided to allow smoothtransitions for passengers during switching as the momentum of the cabchanges. Such a biasing means may also allow cabs to be switchedsmoothly and at high speeds.

In a further preferred embodiment a biasing means may be formed from anyelement adapted to inflate or to extend its width to push the cab outfrom the rail element from which it is suspended.

In a further embodiment a biasing means for a drive system may belocated between components of a drive system for the cab linked to arail element, and a linking connector connected between the drive systemcomponents and the cab, where this linking connector is pivotablyconnected to the drive system components. In such an embodimentextension of the biasing means will pivot the main body of the cab outaway from the drive system via the linking connector and therefore pivotthe cab's centre of mass out and away from the rail element on which thecab is suspended before the cab is switched on to an adjacent track.

In a preferred embodiment a biasing means may be formed from orincorporates a hydraulic ram as the extendible element required. Thedriving shaft of such a ram can be pushed out or pulled inwards to applythe biasing force required to the cab during switching.

In a preferred embodiment the present invention may include a switchingsystem which is adapted to move a cab from one-track rail element to anadjacent tracks rail element. Such a switching system may be adapted tovary the potential routes that a cab may travel over the transportationsystem.

A switching system may be located at each point along the track networkof the transportation system where adjacent tracks come in closeproximity to or intersect with one another. This provides greatflexibility in the operation of the transportation system. In someembodiments cabs may simply run along a set route within a track networkof the transportation system, whereas in other instances passengers mayprovide instructions or destination information to the components of thecab to indicate where they wish to travel, and from this information thecab may be transferred through the use of switching systems to thetracks which will lead to the passenger selected destination.

In a preferred embodiment the switching system may be adapted to pivot asection or component of a track's rail element towards or into contactwith the rail element of an adjacent tract. The pivoted section of therail element may then guide or carry the cab over to the new railelement of the track onto which the cab is to be switched

In a further preferred embodiment a switching system may include atleast one drive component which is adapted to push one end of a sectionof rail element outwards towards an adjacent track and also pull thesame section of rail element away from said adjacent track.

For example, in one instance such a driving component may consist of orinclude a plurality of panels that are pivotably attached to one anotherat their adjacent edges. One or more drive rods may also be attached toa panel or panels where this drive rod or rods are adapted to push thepivotably attached panels so that they will lie substantially in thesame plane. Such a drive rod or rods may also be used to pull the panelsso they will lie substantially parallel to one another.

These panels and drive rod or rods may be located between the interiorside of a section of rail element to be pivoted outwards and the mainbody of the track at the particular point on the network. A drive rodused may be actuated to push the pivotably connected panels into thesame plane which will thereby place a pivoting force on one point of theinner face of the section of rail element involved. This pivoting forcewill pivot the end of the rail element section outwards therebyswitching a cab onto an adjacent track Once the cab has been switchedthe drive rod or rods may then be pulled backwards to pull all thepanels so that they will lie substantially parallel with one another tocompact up into a small volume between the section of rail element andthe main body of the track.

In a further preferred embodiment the switching system may also includea second drive component or drive arm to provide a pushing or pullingforce in a direction substantially perpendicular to force applied by thedrive rod connected to the pivoting panels discussed above. Such a drivearm can assist in starting the motion of the switching system just asthe switch begins to open or close. Such a drive arm can provide aninitial strong force used to get the panels moving, with the drive rodor rods directly connected to these panels assisting in this action oncethe panels are moving. Such a drive arm may be located above or below,or to one side of the pivoting panels employed and can be formed fromany form of extendible or moveable components. For example, in onefurther preferred embodiment such a drive arm of a switching system maybe formed from a hydraulic or pneumatic ram.

The present invention provides many potential advantages over existingprior art transportation systems.

The present invention may be implemented at relatively low capital costdue to the small scale at which the cabs discussed above areconstructed. Furthermore, as small cabs are used this also restricts theoverall size of the upright supports and tracks needed, thereby reducingthe environmental or aesthetic impact of the resulting transportationsystem on the area in which it is to be installed.

By allowing only a relatively small number of passengers to be carriedin each cab this provides the system with significant flexibility withregard to how it will transport large numbers of passengers. At off peaktimes only a small number of cabs may be in circulation on the system,whereas during peak flow or at rush hour times the majority of cabs inexistence for the system may be in circulation along same.

A control means and switching systems discussed above for cabs alsoallows a great degree of flexibility with regard to where a particularcab can travel on the transportation system. By allowing passengers tospecify their end destination and, with appropriate switches made to thetracks required a cab can deliver passengers close to their specifieddestination.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further aspects of the present invention will become apparent from thefollowing description that is given by way of example only and withreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 a,1 b show end views of components the transportation systemconfigured in accordance with one embodiment; and

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a number of upright supports and a trackused in the same embodiment shown with respect to FIGS. 1 a,1 b, and

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of a cab configured in accordance with theembodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, and

FIGS. 4 a,4 b show cross section end and side views of a cab and trackas configured in a further embodiment of the present invention, and

FIG. 5 shows a cross section end view of a drive carriage used in theembodiment of the present invention shown with respect to FIGS. 4 a and4 b, and

FIGS. 6 a,6 b,6 c show the progress of a single drive carriage of a cabwhen moved with a switching system configured in accordance with afurther embodiment, and

FIG. 7 shows side and top schematic views of components used toimplement a switching system in accordance with another embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 8 shows the action of a biasing means in an end view of the systemshown with respect to Figure

BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b show two cross section end views of components used toimplement a transportation system configured in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention.

In such an instance the transportation system may include a number ofsubstantially upright supports 1 which are used to elevate and supportat least one track 2. Preferably one support may be configured tosupport a single track only in one instance, where additional supportsmay be provided to elevate and support other tracks also used toimplement the transportation system.

Each track 2 is provided to support and suspend a number of cabs 3,which in the embodiment shown are used to carry passengers. Preferablyeach track 2 is adapted to support and suspend two cabs only—with thesecabs in use travelling in opposite directions to one another. To achievethis aim the track may be formed from or include a first rail elementand a second rail element (not shown in FIGS. 1 a,1 b) which arepositioned on opposite sides of the track formed. Cabs 3 may then runalong the opposite sides of the track in different directions.

At certain points along the length of the track 2 there may also beprovided passenger stations 4 which allow passengers to climb to thelevel of the cabs and to enter cabs to be transported. Those skilled inthe art should appreciate that any configuration, arrangement or designof stations may be used in conjunction with the present invention toallow passengers to easily and quickly enter or exit cabs. For examplein one embodiment a station may be provided as part of the second floorof a shopping mall or other commercial building which will allowpassengers to exit the cab above the first floor of a retail area orbusiness district. Such buildings may provide convenient stations asthey include areas already elevated to the level of the cabs.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of a number of substantially upright supports 1and a track 2 configured in accordance with the same embodiment shownwith respect to FIGS. 1 a,1 b. As shown in FIG. 2 each of the uprightsupports 1 is used to elevate the track 2 at a height well above anyobstacles, structures or roadways which could interfere with the passageof cabs along the track 2.

FIG. 3 shows a top cross-sectional view of a cab 3 as configured inaccordance with the embodiment shown with respect to FIGS. 1 a,1 b. Thecab 3 includes an entry and an exit door 5 that leads into the centre ofa fully enclosed cabin. The cab also includes seats 6 for eight adultpeople only. By providing seating for eight people only the materialsand work required to construct a cab 3 is substantially reducedFurthermore, the small size of the cab also allows the operators of thetransportation system greater flexibility with regard to where and whenthey can send cabs to pick up and deliver passengers as demand fortransportation fluctuates during a day. As should be appreciated bythose skilled in the art this flexibility may be achieved by providingless than ten seats within a cab, as is illustrated by the example shownwith respect to FIG. 3.

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show an end cross section and side cross section viewof a cab and track as configured in accordance with another embodimentof the present invention. As can be seen from FIG. 4 a the track 2 isformed from or includes on each of its opposite faces a first railelement 7 and a second rail element 8. The first rail element 7 is shownsupporting a cab 3 which is adapted to move in a direction orientatedsubstantially out of the page. Conversely the second track element isadapted to support and guide the motion of a cab or cabs moving in thedirection orientated substantially into the page.

Also shown with respect to FIGS. 4 a and 4 b is a pair of drivecarriages 9 forming a drive system used to pull the cab 3 along thetrack 2. Each cab is suspended and driven by two drive carriages 9.

FIG. 5 shows an enlarged cross section side view of a drive carriage 9as used in the embodiment illustrated by FIGS. 4 a and 4 b. The drivecarriage 9 is adapted to engage with and connect to a rail element 8 tosupport and guide and drive the motion of the cab along the track 2 (notfully shown). The drive carriage 9 includes a framework 10 on which anumber of vertical guide wheels 11 are located. The vertical guidewheels 11 engage with vertical flanges formed in the body of each railelement to lock the drive element 9 onto the rail element. Thisframework also supports and locates a pair of drive wheels 12 and a pairof vertical pressure wheels 13. The end view of FIG. 5 shows only thefirst of the pairs of drive and vertical pressure wheels. The drivewheel 12 is associated with and driven by an electric motor 14 whichrotates the drive wheel 12 and hence pulls the drive element 9 andassociated cab along the rail element 8. As can be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art the pressure wheel 13 may also be driven by theelectric motor 14 if required.

Also shown with respect to FIG. 5 is a mounting beam 10 b which dependsfrom framework 10 incorporated into the drive element. This mountingbeam extends past the drive element to other drive elements incorporatedinto the system and is used to directly connect or link a cab to thedrive system and associated drive elements.

FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c show the motion of a single drive carriages 9 onthe top of a cab as the cab is switched onto an adjacent track In theinstance shown with respect to FIG. 6 a the cab (not shown) is initiallytravelling along a first track 2 a and is to be switched onto anadjacent track 2 b. To implement the switch of a cab a portion of thetrack 2 a is adapted to pivot outwards towards the second track 2 b.This pivoting section of the track 2 a is shown as the dotted section 2c. In effect only a portion of the track 2 a is used to form the section2 c by pivoting out the section of the rail element of the track onwhich the cab is travelling. As shown in FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c thisrail element when pivoted outward guides each drive carriage 9 and theassociated cab outwards away from the original track 2 a onto the newtrack 2 b. Once the cab has been fully transferred onto the new track 2b, the section of rail element 2 c may be pivoted back into line withthe main body of the track 2 a.

FIGS. 7 a,7 b show side and top schematic views of elements used to forma switching system as described with respect to FIGS. 6 a, 6 b and 6 c.The switching system 15 incorporates a pair of panels 16 connectedtogether via a hinge element 17 along their adjacent edges. Connected tothe hinge 17 is a drive rod 18 a that can apply a pushing or pullingforce to the hinge 17. In the situation shown with respect to FIGS. 7 aand 7 b the drive rod 18 a is used to push the panel 16 so that theywill lie substantially in the same plane. This will in turn pivotoutwards the rail element 8 from main body of a track 2. Conversely whenthe rail element 8 is to be pivoted back in close proximity to the mainbody of the track 2, the drive rod 18 a may be used to push or pull thepanels so that they will lie substantially parallel to one anotherwithin a relatively small volume. This will in turn pull the railelement 8 back into contact with the main body of the track 2.

In some embodiments a switching system may also include a drive arm 18 bforming a pushing or pulling element (such as a pneumatic or hydraulicram) which is attached to one end of the rail element 8. The oppositeend of such an arm 18 b engages with the main body of the track or otherassociated components to start the rail element 8 moving outwards toswitch a cab or back inwards after a cab has been switched.

FIG. 8 shows the action of a biasing means introduced into the drivesystem for a cab. Such a biasing means can pivot or tilt the cab asshown by the ghosted cab outline in FIG. 8 to smooth out momentumchanges during cab switching.

A biasing means, implemented in the embodiment shown by a hydraulic ram20 is introduced between a drive system carriage and a connecting leverpivotably connected to the carriage and directly connected to a topmounting bar on the roof of the cab. The hydraulic ram is sited on thedrive carriage and pushes against this pivoting lever to move the cab asshown with respect to FIG. 8 before the cab reaches a switching system.Prior movement of the cab before it is switched smoothes momentumchanges in the cab and therefore provides a smoother ride for the cab'spassengers.

Aspects of the present invention have been described by way of exampleonly and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions maybe made thereto without departing from the scope thereof as defined inthe appended claims.

1. A transportation system, comprising: a plurality of substantiallyupright supports, a longitudinal beam elevated by said supports, aplurality of cabs adapted to move along said beam, said cabs beingsuspended from the beam so that the centre of mass of the cabs is belowthe beam, and a first rail element and a second rail element, the firstrail element being disposed along a first surface of the beam, and thesecond rail element being disposed along a second surface of the beam,the second surface being oriented to be substantially parallel to andoppositely facing with respect to the first surface, wherein the firstrail element is adapted to support at least one of said cabs moveable inan opposite direction to at least a second one of said cabs supported bythe second rail element, said beam including a central body, whereineach of said rail elements project out from the central body of saidbeam, and wherein a single upright support only is required to supportone point of the beam.
 2. A transportation system as claimed in claim 1wherein one side of each of said cabs is linked to said beam to locatethe center of mass of said cab below the beam.
 3. A transportationsystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein the entirety of each of said cabsis suspended below the beam.
 4. A transportation system as claimed inclaim 1 wherein each of the cabs includes seating for ten or lesspassengers.
 5. A transportation system as claimed in claim 1 whereineach of the cabs provides a fully enclosed cabin.
 6. A transportationsystem as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a secondlongitudinal beam adjacent to the longitudinal beam, and a switchingsystem which is adapted to pivot a portion of said first rail element ora portion of said second rail element towards a further rail elementlocated on said second beam to enable one of the cabs moving on saidfirst or second rail element to be switched to said further railelement.
 7. A transportation system as claimed in claim 6 wherein theswitching system includes at least one drive component adapted to pushone end of the portion of the first or second rail element towards saidadjacent second beam and to subsequently pull said pivoted rail elementaway from said adjacent beam.
 8. A transportation system as claimed inclaim 1 which further includes a drive system adapted to pull or pusheach of the cabs along said first or second rail element.
 9. Atransportation system as claimed in claim 8 wherein said drive system ispowered by electrical energy.
 10. A transportation system as claimed inclaim 9 wherein a live wire pickup system distributed within or adjacentto the rail elements is used to supply said electrical energy to thedrive system.
 11. A transportation system as claimed in claim 8 whereinthe drive system includes a pair of drive carriages disposed along oneside of each of the cabs.
 12. A transportation system as claimed inclaim 11 wherein each of said drive carriages includes a plurality ofvertical guide wheels which in use engage with a side or sides of saidfirst or second rail element.
 13. A transportation system as claimed inclaim 11 wherein each of said drive carriages includes a drive wheel anda pressure wheel which in use are placed in contact with upper and lowersurfaces of said first or said second rail element.
 14. A transportationsystem as claimed in claim 1 wherein there is provided one or morereceptacles at the base of the supports adapted to contain soil andplants.
 15. A transportation system as claimed in claim 1 which furtherincludes a control system for each of the cabs adapted to receivedestination information from a user, where said destination informationis used by the control system to control the route which the associatedcab travels along the transportation system.
 16. A transportation systemas claimed in claim 15 wherein the destination information includes astreet address.
 17. A transportation system as claimed in claim 15wherein the destination information includes a path or route along whicha passenger of the cab wishes the cab to pass.
 18. A transportationsystem as claimed in claim 15 wherein the control system is adapted totransmit control signals to at least one switching system to move thecab from said longitudinal beam to an adjacent beam.
 19. Atransportation system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the control systemincludes a currency transfer element.
 20. A transportation system,comprising: a plurality of substantially upright supports, alongitudinal beam elevated by said supports, a plurality of cabs adaptedto move along said beam, said cabs being suspended from the beam so thatthe centre of mass of the cabs is below the beam, and a first railelement and a second rail element, the first rail element being disposedalong a first surface of the beam, and the second rail element beingdisposed along a second surface of the beam, the second surface beingoriented to be substantially parallel to and oppositely facing withrespect to the first surface, wherein the first rail element is adaptedto support at least one of said cabs moveable in an opposite directionto at least a second one of said cabs supported by the second railelement, said beam including a central body, wherein each of said railelements project out from the central body of said beam, wherein saidtransportation system further includes a drive system adapted to pull orpush each of the cabs along said first or second rail element, whereinthe drive system includes a pair of drive carriages disposed along oneside of each of the cabs, and wherein each of said drive carriagesincludes a central bar and is connected to a drive element at two pointsalong the length of said central bar.
 21. A transportation system,comprising: a plurality of substantially upright supports, alongitudinal beam elevated by said supports, a plurality of cabs adaptedto move along said beam, said cabs being suspended from the beam so thatthe centre of mass of the cabs is below the beam, and a first railelement and a second rail element, the first rail element being disposedalong a first surface of the beam, and the second rail element beingdisposed along a second surface of the beam, the second surface beingoriented to be substantially parallel to and oppositely facing withrespect to the first surface, wherein the first rail element is adaptedto support at least one of said cabs moveable in an opposite directionto at least a second one of said cabs supported by the second railelement, said beam including a central body, wherein each of said railelements project out from the central body of said beam, wherein saidtransportation system further comprises a second longitudinal beamadjacent to the longitudinal beam, a switching system which is adaptedto pivot a portion of said first rail element or a portion of saidsecond rail element towards a further rail element located on saidsecond beam to enable one of the cabs moving on said first or secondrail element to be switched to said further rail element, and a drivesystem adapted to pull or push each of the cabs along said first orsecond rail element and wherein the drive system includes a biasingelement adapted to move the centre of mass of one of the cabs towardsthe second longitudinal beam, to which the cab is to be switched, beforethe first or second rail element on which the cab is moving is pivotedtowards the second longitudinal beam.
 22. A transportation system asclaimed in claim 21 wherein the biasing element is located between thedrive system and a linking connector between the drive system and saidcab to be switched to, said linking connector being pivotably connectedto the drive system.
 23. A transportation system as claimed in claim 21wherein extension of the biasing element pivots the cab to be switchedout away from the drive system and the associated first or second railelement which the cab is suspended from.
 24. A transportation system,comprising: a plurality of substantially upright supports, at least onebeam only elevated by said supports, and a plurality of cabs adapted tomove along said at least one beam, said cabs being suspended from thebeam so that the centre of mass of said cabs are located below the beam,wherein said beam is formed from a first rail element and a second railelement orientated in substantially the same direction, the first railelement being used to support at least a first one of the cabs moving insubstantially the opposite direction to at least a second one of thecabs supported by the second rail element, said beam including a centralbody, wherein each of said rail elements is formed from a pair of sidearms projecting out from the central body of the beam, thetransportation system further comprising: a second beam adjacent to saidat least one beam, and a switching system adapted to pivot a portion ofsaid first or second rail element on which one of the cabs is movingtowards a rail element of said adjacent second beam to which the cab isto be switched to, the switching system comprising at least one drivecomponent adapted to push one end of the portion of said first or secondrail element towards said adjacent second beam and to pull said pivotedrail element away from said adjacent second beam, wherein the drivecomponent includes a plurality of panels attached to one another atadjacent edges which are moveable to orientate the panels substantiallyparallel or perpendicular to one another to pivot the portion of saidfirst or second rail element towards or away from the adjacent secondbeam.
 25. The transportation system of claim 24 wherein the switchingsystem further comprises at least one driving rod or at least onedriving arm adapted to push and pull the panels into substantiallyparallel or perpendicular alignment with one another.
 26. Atransportation system, comprising: a plurality of substantially uprightsupports, a single beam only elevated by said supports, and a pluralityof cabs adapted to move along said beam, said cabs being suspended fromthe beam so that the centre of mass of said cabs are located below thebeam, wherein said beam is formed from a first rail element and a secondrail element orientated in substantially the same direction, the firstrail element being used to support at least a first one of the cabsmoving in substantially the opposite direction to at least a second oneof the cabs supported by the second rail element, said beam including acentral body, wherein each of said rail elements is formed from a pairof side arms projecting out from the central body of the beam, thetransportation system further comprising a drive system adapted to pullor push each of the cabs along said first or second rail element,wherein the drive system includes a pair of drive carriages disposedalong one side of each of the cabs, and wherein each of said drivecarriages includes a plurality of vertical guide wheels which in useengage with a side or sides of said first or second rail element.